michigan house of representativesNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Stories from Michigan Radio.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94michigan house of representativesTue, 20 Sep 2016 08:48:30 +0000michigan house of representativeshttp://michiganradio.org
Bryce HuffmanAll but one member of Michigan's congressional delegation have sent a letter of support to the Missile Defense Agency to show their support of the proposed new missile site. Both Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate sent Vice Admiral James D. Syring, director of the Missile Defense Agency, a letter urging his agency to select Fort Custer as the new missile site. Fort Custer, which is in Battle Creek, Mich., is being considered along with Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center in Ohio and Fort Drum in New York. "It’s our understanding that you have completed your assessment of the environmental impacts for a missile defense Interceptor Site at Fort Custer Training Center, one of three remaining locations under consideration. The assessment showed that the environmental impacts for placing an interceptor at Fort Custer would be minimal and that unlike the other sites, Fort Custer would not require additional surveys or cause significant harm to protectedMichigan congressional delegation supports Fort Custer missile sitehttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-congressional-delegation-supports-fort-custer-missile-site
28020 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 19 Sep 2016 19:18:16 +0000Michigan congressional delegation supports Fort Custer missile siteBryce HuffmanTerrance Guido Gerin knows how to win in professional wrestling, and this November he's looking for another win. Gerin, or "Rhino" as he's called (sometimes spelled Rhyno), won the Republican primary for Michigan's 15th House district seat last month. And as of Sunday night, he also won the first ever World Wrestling Entertainment SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Benjamin Raven of MLive reports he and his new WWE tag team partner Heath Slater defeated The Usos after Gerin used his finishing move, "The Gore." Here's a video of the two after their victory: Gerin has been on the weekly show "SmackDown Live!" since July and has been a professional wrestler since 1994. Gerin beat out two other Republicans in the primary for the Michigan House seat. He'll face Abdullah Hammoud, who beat out five Democrats in the primary, this November. The incumbent state representative for the district, Democrat George Darany, isn't running due to term limits. According to Gerin's website, a major focus ofMichigan Republican House nominee wins WWE tag team championshiphttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-republican-house-nominee-wins-wwe-tag-team-championship
27917 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 12 Sep 2016 21:53:29 +0000Michigan Republican House nominee wins WWE tag team championshipStateside Staff Summer vacation is now just a fond memory for students in Michigan's schools -- and our state lawmakers. We sat down today with state House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, to explore some of the issues before the State House of Representatives. Medical marijuana, school closings and energy policy: House Speaker on fall agendahttp://michiganradio.org/post/medical-marijuana-school-closings-and-energy-policy-house-speaker-fall-agenda
27913 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 12 Sep 2016 20:45:06 +0000Medical marijuana, school closings and energy policy: House Speaker on fall agendaStateside Staff The sudden death this summer of State Representative Julie Plawecki forced Democrats to take quick action. She had been running unopposed for the State House seat in the 11th District, which covers Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Garden City, Livonia and Westland. 21-year-old Inkster City Councilman Jewell Jones is the party’s choice to run in Plawecki’s place. If he wins in November, he’ll become the youngest person ever elected as a state lawmaker. Inkster councilman poised to be youngest-ever state lawmaker http://michiganradio.org/post/inkster-councilman-poised-be-youngest-ever-state-lawmaker
27778 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 01 Sep 2016 21:35:55 +0000Inkster councilman poised to be youngest-ever state lawmaker Rebecca KruthDemocratic precinct delegates have selected a new candidate to run for a Detroit-area state House seat. Inkster City Councilman Jewell Jones will replace the late Rep. Julie Plawecki on the August 2 primary ballot. Jonathan Kinloch, chair of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party, says delegates selected Jones based on his active engagement in the party and in his community. “There were other [candidates] that folks knew, but the delegates felt that Jewell will bring the youth, energy and familiarity with the community that’s necessary to represent the district in Lansing,” Kinloch said. Jones was elected to the Inkster City Council last year, when he was just 20 years old. He'll be on the ballot for the term that begins in 2017. A separate special election next month will determine an interim representative to complete Plawecki's current term through the end of this year. Plawecki died suddenly last month while vacationing with her family in Oregon. Inkster city councilman will replace Plawecki on ballothttp://michiganradio.org/post/inkster-city-councilman-will-replace-plawecki-ballot
27064 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 08 Jul 2016 20:49:48 +0000Inkster city councilman will replace Plawecki on ballotRebecca KruthThe sudden death of state Rep. Julie Plawecki last weekend left a vacancy on the August Democratic primary ballot. Plawecki was running unopposed in the 11th House District, which includes Dearborn Heights, Inkster and Garden City. Jonathan Kinloch, chair of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party, says precinct delegates will meet next week to start the process of finding a new candidate. "We want to do this process respectfully, and keep in mind that this is all about a loss of life and the loss of a great public servant," Kinloch said. Under state law, precinct delegates will choose three delegates to pick the replacement candidate. Kinloch says interested candidates have until July 5th to submit their information for consideration. Democrats begin process of filling ballot void after state lawmaker's deathhttp://michiganradio.org/post/democrats-begin-process-filling-ballot-void-after-state-lawmakers-death
26933 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 28 Jun 2016 21:57:11 +0000Democrats begin process of filling ballot void after state lawmaker's deathAssociated PressState Rep. Julie Plawecki, D-Dearborn Heights, has died while hiking with a daughter in Oregon. She was 54. State Sen. David Knezek, a fellow Democrat from Dearborn Heights, announced Plawecki's death late Saturday night on Facebook. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel released a statement Sunday saying the caucus was deeply saddened by her death. A spokeswoman for Greimel, Katie Carey, said Plawecki's family said she died of an apparent heart attack. Plawecki was elected in 2014 and was unopposed in the August primary. Plawecki previously was a medical technologist and a teacher. She is survived by her husband, Mark, a Wayne County district judge, and three adult daughters. Gov. Rick Snyder said the state had lost a "fine and dedicated public servant" and described her passing as "a shock." Michigan state Rep. Plawecki dies at age 54http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-state-rep-plawecki-dies-age-54
26900 as http://michiganradio.orgSun, 26 Jun 2016 20:53:40 +0000Michigan state Rep. Plawecki dies at age 54Stateside StaffThe future is cloudy for groups fighting to get those marijuana and anti-fracking proposals on the November ballot in Michigan. The House last week gave final approval to Senate Bill 776, which sets a strict 180-day window for groups to collect signatures on ballot initiatives and constitutional amendment petitions. Michigan House approves 180-day petition windowhttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-house-approves-180-day-petition-window
26447 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 23 May 2016 20:07:37 +0000Michigan House approves 180-day petition windowZoe Clark Donald Trump is now the presumptive GOP presidential nominee so, what does that portend for Republicans further down the ballot? For Donald Trump to win the presidency, he’ll have to change the Electoral College map to win states Republicans don’t usually win. And, based on Trump’s apparent appeal to blue collar voters in old Rust Belt states, Michigan is high on that list. Michigan Republican Congresswoman Candice Miller endorsed Trump last week. “In this case, with Donald Trump, I think Michigan is very much in play. I think the entire electoral map is going to be changing as evidenced by the recent poll that showed that he was neck and neck in three critical states, uh, literally, a dead-heat in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and if that is happening in Pennsylvania, I believe it is going to be happening in Michigan, as well. And, certainly in Macomb County, home of the Reagan Democrats,” Miller said last week. But, at the same time, Democrats are hoping a lightning rod candidateWill Donald Trump at the top of the ballot help Michigan Democrats?http://michiganradio.org/post/will-donald-trump-top-ballot-help-michigan-democrats
26356 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 16 May 2016 14:01:12 +0000Will Donald Trump at the top of the ballot help Michigan Democrats?Ryan GrimesIt took 15 hours and an all-nighter, but the state House narrowly managed to approve a package of six bills aimed at fixing the Detroit Public Schools. Michigan Radio's It's Just Politics team Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta sit down with us today to talk about the bills, and about how the House and Senate have different views about how to keep DPS doors open. After all-nighter, state House finally approves Detroit schools planhttp://michiganradio.org/post/after-all-nighter-state-house-finally-approves-detroit-schools-plan
26234 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 05 May 2016 20:09:50 +0000After all-nighter, state House finally approves Detroit schools planRyan GrimesAn article in The Free Press reported 2016 is "shaping up as a raucous and competitive election season with incumbent politicians facing strong challenges up and down the ballot, and a presidential race that could influence the control of every race." Rick Pluta and Zach Gorchow join us to talk about upcoming State Representative races, voter turnout, and how the Michigan legislature might change after this election year. GUESTSRick Pluta is a reporter and producer for the Michigan Radio Network. He tweets at @rickpluta.Zach Gorchow is the editor of Gongwer News Service. He tweets @ZachGorchow. How might 2016's "raucous and competitive" elections shape the state legislature? http://michiganradio.org/post/how-might-2016s-raucous-and-competitive-elections-shape-state-legislature
26088 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 22 Apr 2016 20:28:30 +0000How might 2016's "raucous and competitive" elections shape the state legislature? Ryan GrimesA funeral service is set for today for Curtis Hertel Sr. The former state Speaker of the House died suddenly this week of natural causes in his home. The Democrat served in the state House for nearly two decades. Remarkably, during that time he wound up sharing the role of House Speaker with Republican Paul Hillegonds. Paul Hillegonds remembers life, work of friend and colleague Curtis Hertel Sr.http://michiganradio.org/post/paul-hillegonds-remembers-life-work-friend-and-colleague-curtis-hertel-sr
25824 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 31 Mar 2016 20:25:53 +0000Paul Hillegonds remembers life, work of friend and colleague Curtis Hertel Sr.Ryan GrimesLast December, in the final hours the Legislature was in session for 2015, a bill passed both Houses and was later signed by Governor Snyder. That bill had originally been 12 pages, but was replaced by the 53-page Senate Bill 571. Several legislators say they didn't know the contents and the changes, but it still passed. Some legislators say they later regretted voting for it. Rep. Lisa Lyons backing new legislation clarifying "gag order" bill passed in 2015http://michiganradio.org/post/rep-lisa-lyons-backing-new-legislation-clarifying-gag-order-bill-passed-2015
25426 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 26 Feb 2016 21:49:00 +0000Rep. Lisa Lyons backing new legislation clarifying "gag order" bill passed in 2015Stateside StaffLegislation that would eliminate the straight-ticket voting option on Michigan ballots is headed to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk. Rick Pluta, co-host of It’s Just Politics and the Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network, tells us that if signed, this legislation would have three effects: It would eliminate the option that Michigan voters had to vote for candidates in one party by filling a single circle on the ballot.It would provide money for local governments to buy more voting machines.It would ensure that this legislation cannot be challenged via voter referendum.Michigan Radio reporter Jake Neher was in the chambers yesterday. He says things got a little heated. “It’s been a week of procedural drama, and this bill was no different,” Neher says. The two tell us more about the proposed legislation and how it could affect Michigan voters in our conversation above. Legislation to end straight-ticket voting heads to Gov. Snyder's deskhttp://michiganradio.org/post/legislation-end-straight-ticket-voting-heads-gov-snyders-desk
24592 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 17 Dec 2015 22:35:16 +0000Legislation to end straight-ticket voting heads to Gov. Snyder's deskStateside StaffAs of today, our state legislators have nine session days left before heading home for the holidays on December 17. So it’s a good time to review who’s been most effective in getting bills passed and what we might see come out of the final few sessions before we bid farewell to 2015. For big ticket issues in state legislature, "there's just not enough time"http://michiganradio.org/post/big-ticket-issues-state-legislature-theres-just-not-enough-time
24417 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 01 Dec 2015 21:48:51 +0000For big ticket issues in state legislature, "there's just not enough time"Jake NeherA $1.2 billion road funding plan has cleared the state Senate. The new "compromise" plan takes $600 million from existing revenues to the state's General Fund, $400 million from a seven-cent-per-gallon increase in the state's gas tax, and $200 million from an increase in vehicle registration fees. Michigan Senate approves $1.2 billion road funding plan, now up for House votehttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-senate-approves-12-billion-road-funding-plan-now-house-vote
24057 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 03 Nov 2015 20:34:58 +0000Michigan Senate approves $1.2 billion road funding plan, now up for House voteThe Associated PressLANSING, Mich. - Two conservative ex-lawmakers who had an extramarital affair and attempted to conceal it have been sued by former aides. The Detroit News and MLive.com report former state Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat were sued Friday by Keith Allard and Ben Graham in Ingham County Circuit Court. Ex-lawmakers sued by former aides alleging retaliationhttp://michiganradio.org/post/ex-lawmakers-sued-former-aides-alleging-retaliation
23719 as http://michiganradio.orgSat, 03 Oct 2015 18:44:00 +0000Ex-lawmakers sued by former aides alleging retaliationStateside StaffIn a turn of events that surprised many, Rep. Todd Courser resigned his position on Friday, while Rep. Cindy Gamrat became the fourth state legislator in Michigan’s history to be expelled. John Lidstrom was one of the veteran Lansing political observers watching that expulsion vote, and based on the editorial he wrote about the episode, it’s clear he did so with a sense of dismay. Are term limits crippling our legislators' ability to work together?http://michiganradio.org/post/are-term-limits-crippling-our-legislators-ability-work-together
23517 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 14 Sep 2015 21:00:01 +0000Are term limits crippling our legislators' ability to work together?Stateside StaffPeople across Michigan have seen their cars, their TVs, their kids’ iPads, even their homes seized by police, often despite never having been charged with or convicted of a crime. It’s called “civil asset forfeiture,” and it means that state or federal agents can seize your property if they so much as suspect that it has been involved in criminal activity. The push against civil asset forfeiture is growing. A new coalition of conservative and progressive groups has come together under the name Fix Forfeiture, and it has made Michigan one of three states it will target this year for reform. “Our goal is to push the entire process post-conviction,” Fix Forfeiture Senior Project Director Holly Harris says, “which means that no agent of the government can seize your property unless you’ve been charged with or convicted of a crime.” The real challenge in Michigan and across the country, Harris tells us, is that there are no stringent reporting requirements for seized assets. According toBipartisan coalition pushing back against civil asset forfeiturehttp://michiganradio.org/post/bipartisan-coalition-pushing-back-against-civil-asset-forfeiture
22719 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 08 Jul 2015 20:15:16 +0000Bipartisan coalition pushing back against civil asset forfeitureStateside StaffIt’s hard to argue against the fact that informed citizens are the cornerstone of democracy. That’s the idea behind the Open Meetings Act: keeping the business of public entities open, transparent, and accessible to the public. Making public meetings publichttp://michiganradio.org/post/making-public-meetings-public
22529 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 23 Jun 2015 20:22:36 +0000Making public meetings public